Opened in March 2004, the wildlife animal hospital was a major project of Wildlife Warriors and Steve – who wanted to honour his late mother Lyn. Being incredibly passionate about wildlife care and rehabilitation, Lyn wanted to have a hospital dedicated to saving native animals. Her lifelong dream was fulfilled with the opening of Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, which served to treat and rehabilitate sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Besides providing care to animals, the wildlife hospital also engages in research on koala diseases and wildlife health management, to develop better healthcare and treatment techniques.

In a bid to keep up with the demand for wildlife treatment and rehabilitation, the hospital was revamped and expanded to increase its healthcare and research capabilities. The new hospital facility was opened on November 15, 2008 (also Steve Irwin Day).

Today, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital is contended the world’s largest, busiest, and best-equipped wildlife facility. While it currently treats up to 6800 sick and injured animals – of a great variety of species – annually, the hospital has the capacity to treat approximately 10000 patients annually.

The Australia Zoo Rescue Unit
This wildlife rescue unit, which was developed as part of Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, takes on a rescue-rehabilitation-release approach. The rescue unit acts like an ambulance, committed to rescuing sick, injured, or orphaned animals within South East Queensland, upon receiving notice from the public (via the 24-hour Wildlife Emergency Hotline). It sends the unfortunate animal to the wildlife hospital to receive the best treatment and rehabilitation possible, before releasing it.